SUV Trapped on Ice - In a Parking Lot

It was like a dream come true. The scene - the Potomac Yards shopping mall in Alexandria, Virginia. I had gone over there about an hour and a quarter before sunset to do some Christmas shopping. Whoops; I mean holiday shopping. Yes, that's it; "holiday" shopping. The air temperature was in the mid-30's, which meant I could go on my bicycle, something I am coming to use more and more these days. Because it snowed on Thursday night, there were some icy patches, but not enough to prevent riding a bicycle. You just had to be careful.

What a good choice that was, as when I got to the shopping center, it was jammed with cars. They were waiting for green lights, waiting at stop signs, waiting to make left turns, right turns, to go ahead. Me? No problem. I drove right up to the front door of where I was going and locked my bike. There were a few other bicyclists out, but not a whole lot.

As I was leaving, I heard the sound of spinning wheels. The lot at Potomac Yards is generally level, but, in common with many lots, it has gentle slopes to direct rain water into storm drains. The grades of the slopes couldn't be more than two or three degrees. A Ford Explorer (I think) had pulled forward into a spot next to a storm drain, but he had parked on the ice. The driver couldn't move forward, as he had a curb in front of him. He couldn't back up, because the combination of the grade and the ice caused his wheels to spin. He must not have had four-wheel drive, as I could see only the rear wheels spinning. This big, manly, rugged, outdoors, off-road vehicle was trapped on the ice in a level parking lot.

I smiled at the thought of it all and kept going, wishing I had a camera to record the scene.

:rofl:

I'll bet Mr. BigtrucklookatmeIcouldgooffroadifIreallywantedto didn't even have a bag of sand or salt with him.
:rofl:

.

Bicycling in the cold is not my idea of fun, sorry.

Watching SUV's get stuck on ice, however, is hilarious. Thanks for the laugh. I enjoyed the post.

It's not that bad; you'd be surprised. In fact, I'm sort of surprised (pleasantly) that I'm out on it. I'm sure that this season is the coldest that I have been on my bike.

Last Saturday morning, about 7:30 or so, the air temp was in the mid-20's, and I went out on my bike. My head is cold, because my helmet is well-ventilated. The solution is to get an NFL/Oakland Raiders skullcap that will fit under my helmet. The secret to keeping your hands warm is to wear snowmobile gloves.

Once you get moving, you're generating enough heat that you hardly notice. Now, I'm not talking about biking around at 40 below in Helena, Montana, or something REALLY cold. But northern Virginia cold, so far, is not a problem.

from last winter:

I love IKEA. If it had working showers, I would just move in there...

I was at Potomac Yards, the site of the huge railroad yards that used to be in Alexandria, Virginia.

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/images/I33105-2004Aug01

That's the "Juice Train" in the photograph. It's solid refrigerator cars (i.e., the train's consist is nothing but mechanically refrigerated boxcars). Northbound, it's full of Tropicana orange juice for New York, Boston, etc. Southbound, it runs empty.

not two weeks ago. Took an off-ramp at about 30 in icy rain. These people don't realize that the size of their monster truck only makes it more likely they will end up upside down. I have no problem with SUV ownership if it's necessary for a job, but Joe "i need my Hummer to run to the grocery store" is always good for a laugh when the toy doesn't meet expectations.